Promising central midfielder Jerome Abbey has signed his first professional contract with Wolves.
In May Abbey became Wolves’ youngest ever Premier League player when he made his senior debut against Burnley aged 16 years, eight months and eight days, and has now committed his future to the club.
The England under-17 international, who first joined Wolves at the age of six and later signed schoolboy terms at nine, has progressed through the system before being fast-tracked into the first-team last season, whilst also balancing his GCSE studies.
Under Cesar Peixoto, Abbey has trained with the first team when required, featuring during pre-season for the first-team and being an unused substitute against Port Vale in the Carabao Cup last month.
Jerome follows brothers Jed and Jez in progressing through Wolves Academy and on that same afternoon at Turf Moor became the second youngest player in the club's complete history, after Jimmy Mullen in 1939.
The youngster has missed the start of the under-21s’ season due to injury, but having successfully come through minor surgery, is nearing a return to action and will do so as a full professional.
Jon Hunter-Barrett, academy director, said: “We're really delighted because Jerome’s been here a long time, coming right the way through the academy, and it's a good news story for everyone involved. Jerome is a calm and consistent person and comes from a really good family, with his brothers being part of our academy previously, and that's lived through Jerome and how he behaves on a daily basis.
“He's benefitted a tremendous amount from being around the first-team because you have to behave in the same way as them. When we get the opportunity for our talented young players to get that experience, they've got to go in and do well, which is what he's done, but then they have to also bring back the learnings that they've taken from that experience.
“The club's been in existence since 1877 and so many things have come and gone, but his debut record is a monumental piece of history, and given how long he's been here, and his family's connections to the club, it's great all around.
“Retention is big piece in what we do – we have to deliver, and it is really difficult, not just for Wolves, but for everybody, up and down the country. So, the fact that he sees the opportunity here, enjoys the environment, enjoys being challenged and can see the progression, is credit to the academy staff that turn up every day.”
